By Mohamed Attia
Lieutenant General Mohamed Abbas Helmy, Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation, received a delegation from the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) led by Bill Grinolds, the TSA’s North Africa attaché. The meeting, held at the ministry’s headquarters in the new administrative capital, was also attended by Amani Metwally, the ministry’s permanent undersecretary, Magdy Ishaq, Chairman of Cairo Airport Company, and Essam Keshk, the President’s advisor on airport and aviation security.
This visit aimed to enhance co-operation and exchange expertise between Egypt and the United States in aviation security.
During the meeting, Helmy outlined the comprehensive security measures implemented at Egyptian airports, highlighting Egypt’s efforts to upgrade and enhance its security systems. He emphasised the application of the latest global technologies in aviation security and the protection of individuals, facilities, and flights to the highest international standards. Helmy underscored the importance of collaborating with the TSA to benefit from its advanced expertise in this field.
The American delegation expressed their gratitude to the Minister of Civil Aviation and praised the significant development strides made by Egypt across various sectors. They noted the remarkable progress observed in Egypt’s civil aviation sector, including rigorous security protocols and continuous monitoring of airport security. The delegation commended the Egyptian ministry’s efforts in supporting these advancements.
The US team also welcomed further co-operation with the Egyptian side, offering their expertise to redesign Terminal 3 at Cairo International Airport to reduce passenger wait times and streamline processes while maintaining high-quality security measures.
Additionally, the delegation announced plans to provide the ministry with several modern devices currently used in US airports, alongside offering technical support and training to enhance the capabilities of Egypt’s aviation security personnel.
The meeting also included the announcement of establishing a regional security training centre in Egypt, equipped with the latest devices supplied by the US without imposing any financial burden on the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Both sides agreed to continue ongoing collaboration and effective co-operation to develop aviation security systems, ensuring the highest safety standards for passengers in line with international norms.
The TSA is a US government agency responsible for ensuring the safety and security of travelers across airports and transportation hubs. Established to enhance passenger protection, the TSA implements a range of measures, including comprehensive screenings of passengers and luggage, to mitigate potential security threats in this domain.
